Nearly nine in 10 Blue Badge holders say parking is a major barrier to their independence, while a new study has ranked the council areas where finding a disabled parking space can be most challenging.
Blue Badge holders across the UK are facing a parking struggle that is stopping some from visiting places altogether, according to new research.
A survey by MoneySuperMarket found that 87.4% of Blue Badge holders say parking is a major barrier to their independence, while more than two-thirds have avoided visiting certain places because of concerns about finding a space.
The research, part of the company's Misused Parking Campaign, surveyed 2,000 UK motorists, including 1,000 Blue Badge holders who regularly use disabled parking spaces.
MoneySuperMarket also submitted Freedom of Information requests to councils to compile a Priority Parking Index, ranking local authority areas using measures including the number of Blue Badge holders, disabled parking bays and penalty charge notices issued for misuse of disabled bays.
The council areas where Blue Badge parking is most challenging
Durham County topped the study's ranking of the most challenging areas for Blue Badge parking, with a final score of 6.75.
The figures listed by MoneySuperMarket show Durham had 35,697 registered Blue Badge holders and 320 disabled bays – equivalent to 112 badge holders per bay. The authority also recorded 3,445 penalty charge notices relating to disabled-bay misuse.
Blackpool and Redbridge were next in the ranking, both scoring 8.10. Blackpool had 11,438 registered Blue Badge holders and 91 disabled bays, while Redbridge had 18,129 badge holders and 183 bays.
Other areas appearing near the top of the list included York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Leicester and Salford.
The index gives lower scores to areas ranked as more challenging, while higher scores indicate better conditions for Blue Badge holders. The results reflect the measures used in the campaign's index and should not be taken as a complete measure of every driver's experience.
UK areas with the most challenging Blue Badge parking
According to MoneySuperMarket’s Priority Parking Index:
- 1. Durham County – score 6.75
- 2. Blackpool – score 8.10
- 3. Redbridge – score 8.10
- 4. York – score 12.15
- 5. Doncaster – score 13.50
- 6. Sheffield – score 13.50
- 7. Leicester – score 14.85
- 8. Salford – score 27.00
- 9. Rotherham – score 31.05
- 10. Tower Hamlets – score 31.05
- 11. Newcastle – score 31.10
- 12. Stoke-on-Trent – score 33.75
- 13. Plymouth – score 36.45
- 14. Wolverhampton – score 37.80
- 15. Luton – score 40.50
This afternoon we’ve been with friends and colleagues in Blackpool for the Disability Forum - discussing Blue Badge spaces, hospital transport & buses - and there was Ice cream !! Of course there was it’s the seaside !! 🍦 @povertytruthnet @DisabilityFirst https://t.co/rBFKEJMoYk
— Disability Equality North West (@DIsabilityNW) August 20, 2025
Seven in 10 feel uncomfortable challenging drivers in Blue Badge spaces
The survey suggests that the problem is not simply finding an empty parking bay.
More than three-quarters of Blue Badge holders – 76.7% – said current parking facilities were not designed to meet their needs.
Meanwhile, 70.2% said they would feel uncomfortable confronting someone they believed was misusing a priority parking bay.
The findings raise concerns about the pressure placed on disabled motorists who rely on accessible parking to reach shops, services and other destinations.
The study also found that 67.8% of Blue Badge holders had avoided visiting certain places altogether because of parking concerns.
Some Blue Badge users have taken to forum Mumsnet to complain, with one posting: "I am a bit fed up of people parking in disabled bays making them inaccessible for blue badge holders."
Another responded: "I’ve said something along the lines of 'did you forget your blue badge?' a few times before. It makes them feel nice and awkward."
Some went further, with one posting: "Yes I definitely would ask them to move. My child is severely disabled and permanently uses a wheelchair so I know the pain of not being able to get a spot and also the rage of someone asking me if I had a blue badge as I pulled into a spot before I’d even turned off the engine."
Blue Badge holders spend hours searching for a space
On average, Blue Badge holders spend 29 minutes a month looking for a parking space, according to the survey.
That adds up to around six hours a year spent searching for somewhere to park.
For people who depend on accessible parking to make journeys possible, the time spent searching can add another obstacle to everyday activities.
MoneySuperMarket's campaign examines the challenges facing disabled drivers and the impact of parking facilities and misuse of priority bays.
The councils with the best scores in the study
At the other end of the ranking supplied by MoneySuperMarket, Portsmouth scored 97.30, followed by Fife on 95.95, and Haringey and Richmond upon Thames, both on 91.90.
Lambeth scored 90.55, while Argyll and Bute scored 85.15.
UK areas with the best Blue Badge parking scores
According to MoneySuperMarket’s Priority Parking Index, these areas scored highest among the entries supplied, with higher scores indicating better conditions for Blue Badge holders:
- 1. Portsmouth – score 97.30
- 2. Fife – score 95.95
- 3. Haringey – score 91.90
- 4. Richmond upon Thames – score 91.90
- 5. Lambeth – score 90.55
- 6. Argyll and Bute – score 85.15
- 7. Southwark – score 78.40
- 8. Oldham – score 77.05
- 9. Peterborough – score 74.35
- 10. Islington – score 73.00
- 11. Hillingdon – score 70.30
- 12. Brent – score 68.95
- 13. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – score 66.25
- 14. Bath and North East Somerset – score 59.45
- 15. Barnet – score 58.15
These scores indicate better results within the campaign's index, rather than proving that every Blue Badge holder in those areas can easily find a space.
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